Nairobi National Park, located in Kenya’s capital city, is a unique blend of wildlife and urban landscape. Established in 1946, the park is one of Kenya’s oldest and most popular national parks. The park was originally created to protect the wildlife and natural habitat of the area, which was being threatened by urbanization and agriculture. The park’s diverse landscape is characterized by grasslands, Forests, and the Rocky outcrops known as “kopjes,” which provide a habitat for predators and offer breathtaking views.
Nairobi National Park is situated about 7 kilometers south of Nairobi’s city center covering an area of approximately 117 square kilometers making it one of the smallest safari destinations in Uganda. the Park is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including The African Big Five (Lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and buffaloes), Antelopes and gazelles such as Impalas, Grant’s gazelles, and Thomson’s gazelles and over 400 bird species recorded, making nairobi national park is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
How to get to Nairobi National Park.
Nairobi National Park has 7 gates, 2 of which are being used by the kenya wildlife service only. The entry gates include; KWS headquarters, Langata road, Langata Gate, Maasai Gate, Mbagathi Gate, and Banda Gate. visitors can reach the park by either road or air.
By road: the park is approximately 7 kilometers south of Nairobi city and about 10 kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta International airport.
By Air: visitors can fly to Jomo Kenyatta International airport or Wilson airport then drive to the park.
Attractions in Nairobi National Park
wildlife
Nairobi National Park is home to over 100 species of mammals, with a population of 39 lions, over 90 rhinos and 40 different reptiles and amphibians. The park hosts four of the African big five animals (buffaloes, lions, leopards and rhinos). The park has a magnificent wildebeest and zebra migration. other mammal species found in Nairobi national park include; hyenas, cheetahs, giraffes, hippopotamus, blue wildebeest, plain zebras, Thomson’s gazelle, grant’s gazelles, elands, impalas, hartebeest, waterbuck, warthog, olive baboons, black backed jackal, common ostrich among others.
Birdlife.
Nairobi national park is one of the popular birding destinations in kenya. The park is a birding paradise with over 400 bird species recorded within the park, 20 are seasonal European migrants.
The park’s grasslands provide habitat to the birds such as the restricted Jackson’s widowbird, ostriches, secretary bird and bustards. The wet seasons are the most ideal time to go for birding in Nairobi National Park, from November to April is when most of the migratory bird species can be spotted in the park, especially the spectacular jackson’s widowbird. Other bird species found in Nairobi National Park include abyssinian thrush, corncrakes, fischer’s lovebirds, grey crowned crane, hartlaub’s bustard, kori bustard, lesser kestrel, martial eagle, pallid harrier, white-bellied bustard, white-headed vulture among others.
Kifaru Ark
Kifaru Ark, also known as the rhino sanctuary for its importance in the conservation of Rhinos in Kenya. The main reason for its establishment was to eradicate poaching of rhinos in the park. Kifaru Ark is one of the only few places in kenya where visitors get a chance to see the black rhinos in their natural habitat.
Vegetation
The park has vast tracts of open grass plains with scattered acacia bush, there is a highly dry forest on the western side of the park and to the south, there is Riverine Forest and a permanent river. The vegetation of the dry transitional open scenic savannah type, which enables east spotting and observation of various animal species. Other vegetation types in the park include the thorny varieties like the muhuhu, cape chestnut, and kenya olive.
Ivory Burning site monument
This is a landmark that symbolizes conservation of wildlife. It is famous as the place where 12 tons of ivory were burnt by the second president of Kenya in 1989 to show Kenya’s commitment to conservation and emphasis on zero trade in ivory. The site offers spacious and convenient venue for picnics and bush functions.
Nairobi Animal Orphanage
Situated inside the park, Nairobi Animal Orphanage is one of the attractions in the park that visitors do visit while in the park. The Nairobi Animal Orphanage is a treatment and rehabilitation center for wild animals such as the cheetahs, lions, monkeys, among others because their presence was once threatened by poachers.
What to do while in Nairobi National Park
Vibrant Holiday Safaris offers a range of exciting tour activities to Nairobi Park such as;
Game drives
There’s no other better way you can take in Nairobi National Park’s diverse wildlife than going for a game drive. The park has a wide range of wild animals and most of them can be spotted during a drive through the park’ savannah grasslands.
Game drives in Nairobi National Park take approximately 2-3 hours. visitors can embark on an early morning game drive and discover the incredible diversity of wildlife that inhabits Nairobi National Park, with over 100 mammal species calling it home, including iconic creatures like rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, zebras, gazelles, and giraffes impalas, cheetahs, baboons among others.
Birding
Nairobi National Park is a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting an impressive checklist of over 400 migratory and endemic bird species, offering a unique opportunity to spot some of Africa’s most fascinating avifauna. some of the bird species include; abyssinian thrush, corncrakes, fischer’s lovebirds, grey crowned crane, hartlaub’s bustard, kori bustard, lesser kestrel, martial eagle, pallid harrier, white-bellied bustard, white-headed vulture among others. Birding is a full day activity that takes place along the water bodies, forests, and Savannah plains of the park.
Visit the Animal orphanage center
The Animal Orphanage center is located near the park’s main gate, established in 1963 by Daphne Sheldrick to minimise poaching rates in the park. While on your visit, you will get a chance to see the orphaned animals as they enjoy their new habitats.
Picnic in the Wild
Relax and unwind at one of the park’s scenic picnic spots, where the breathtaking savannah landscape and incredible wildlife are juxtaposed against the striking backdrop of the city skyline, creating a truly surreal and unforgettable experience.
Best time to visit the park
Nairobi National Park is open all year round and can be visited any time, but the dry season from June to September is generally the best time for wildlife watching, when animals can easily be seen around water sources. Wildlife watching is usually difficult during the rainy season ( between March and May and October to November ). During these months, rainfall might restrict game drives and the grass tends to be very high.
Where to stay while at nairobi national park
Nairobi National Park has several high quality accommodation options, located both inside and outside the park at distinct areas to suit every budget. Nairobi Tented Camp is the only camp located inside the park. The other hotels, camps and lodges are located outside the park some of which include; Emakoko Lodge, Eka Hotel, Panari Hotel, African Heritage House, Acacia Camp Swara Plains & Ole Sereni Hotel.
